The Orlando Magic locked up Franz Wagner to a five-year, $224 million deal this past week. The deal includes a Derrick Rose clause, which significantly increases the value of the contract to $270 million, provided that Wagner is named to an All-NBA team in 2025.
The Magic’s decision to secure the service of their second-leading scorer through the 2029-30 season did not come as a surprise since many had always expected Orlando’s top brass to retain the core of the team that snapped a five-year postseason drought and pushed the No.3 seed Cleveland Cavaliers to the limit in hands-down the most competitive first-round series this year.
However, for those still trying to make sense of Wagner’s max rookie extension, here are a few reasons why signing him now rather than later is the biggest move the Magic have made this summer.
Franz Wagner is a Super-Rare Talent
At 6-foot-10, 220-pound, Wagner is an athletic specimen who can score on three levels. He shoots nearly 50 per cent from the field throughout his three-year career at 47.9 FG%, makes three-balls at 33 3PT%, and possesses quickness and finesse around the basket, making him a viable offensive option in the paint.
Last season, Wagner averaged 19.7 points on 48.2 FG%, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 32.5 minutes per game across 72 games. He also put up almost the same points per game in the postseason at 18.9 PPG, but his field goal shooting dipped to 40.8 FG%.
Magic Hope Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero Can Match Celtics Duo’s Success
This season, the Boston Celtics’ championship run proves that a team can win a title even if their two stars have overlapping skill sets. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are exactly the same players: shifty wings who can score buckets at an efficient rate and play solid defence on the other end of the floor. Wagner and Paolo Banchero operate within the same territory as Brown and Tatum, but this Magic duo is the bigger and more physical version at 6-foot-10.
Wagner and Banchero still have to improve their individual defence since their defensive ratings of 111.8 and 111.5, respectively, are slightly below the league average of 110. Given their evolving skill sets, it’s not hard to see them evolving into defensive nightmares for other teams in the coming years.
Remember, the Magic emerged as the best defensive team in the NBA throughout the 2023-24 season, allowing the opposing team to just 106.5 points per game on 45.0 FG% during the regular season and 95.9 points per game on 44.0 FG% in the postseason. Orlando did this with Wagner and Banchero roaming around the perimeter, deflecting passes and swatting shots.
The Magic Can’t Lose Wagner to Free Agency
Apparently, this is the most logical explanation for why the Magic locked up Wagner before he could walk away for free.
Wagner, the ninth overall choice in the 2021 NBA Draft, was set to enter the final year of his rookie deal, which paid him $5.5 million for the 2024-25 season.
If no contract extension is signed by October this year, Wagner will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, allowing his agents to negotiate with other teams. And, while the Magic will still have the option to match his deal, it is a risk the franchise cannot afford.
